Forbes has released its list of the top 100 highest paid athletes in the world, and it features 15 truly elite NFL players (with truly elite levels of pay to match).

QB Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons is a bit of surprise considering he does not have nearly as many endorsements or commercials as QBs like Peyton Manning, Drew Brees or even Russell Wilson up to this point, but after leading the Atlanta Falcons to 5 straight winning seasons and the NFC Championship game in 2012, it was clear that Matt Ryan is a critical part of the team’s future so they were more than willing to mortgage the house to keep him a Falcon for the prime of his career.

The study added up a player’s salary with their endorsements to reach a final pay figure.